Alexandra Hughes

ANNAPOLIS – The most important issues facing the state were addressed during the 2008 legislative session, which concludes today, according to a spokeswoman for House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Annapolis), Alexandra Hughes.

“Off the top of my head—I can’t think of one,” Hughes said when asked to name an important topic that did not come up during the session.

She then added, “Assuming everything is passed in the next eight hours.”

ANNAPOLIS -- Alexandra Hughes, a spokeswoman for House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Annapolis), said the speaker did not have a position on Gov. Martin O’Malley’s proposal to hold a special general election in Maryland’s 4th Congressional District, while bypassing a special primary election.

“In the last days of the session, until we see a bill—I don’t think he’s given much thought to it,” Hughes said.

The General Assembly will adjourn on Monday.

ANNAPOLIS- The legislative office of House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Annapolis) issued a statement when asked to respond to a report by Progressive Maryland and Common Cause Maryland that said Busch has received the fourth highest amount in campaign contributions from the utility industry among members of the current General Assembly since voting for a bill to deregulate the electricity industry in 1999. The speaker’s office also referred to his record on campaign finance reform, as Progressive Maryland and Common Cause push for the passage of Senate Bill 593, a campaign finance law that would lead to publicly funded elections.

“The speaker's record is clear on both issues: campaign finance reform and issues impacting Maryland electricity ratepayers,” Alexandra Hughes, a spokesperson for the delegate, said. “In 2006, Speaker Busch shepherded the clean campaign bill through the House of Delegates. That same year, he pressed the state's largest electricity company to provide rate relief for millions of consumers. Utility companies represent less than 2% of contributions to the speaker's campaign committee.”

According to data provided by Ryan O’Donnell, the executive director of Common Cause Maryland, Busch has received $13,725 in campaign contributions from the utility industry since the passage of the deregulation bill.